Summer Reading

Somebody here told me they wanted more of my reading lists. The last two years have been rather busy, and I didn't get the time to make a list. Actually, I didn't even read much. But now, I'm free again (albeit only for a short while) and I just started with my summer reading.

1. I started out with the Hunger Games series. The first book in the series is 'The Hunger Games'. Its about a girl, Katniss Everdeen, who replaces her sister in a televised fight until death and ultimately emerges victorious. Katniss, who at the age of sixteen is the breadwinner for her family, is ignorant of the politics involved in the games. It is only when she herself becomes a participant in them that she realizes that the games are not just a cruel, inhumane torture device, but actually a show of power on the part of the rich but evil Capitol. As long as the Games go on and people keep watching their children die on a big screen, the fear in the districts under the control of the Capitol will be too paralyzing for the anybody to rebel against the injustice that prevails. Katniss' rebellious actions in the arena start a fire that spreads through all twelve disctricts, and soon, a rebellion begins.

The second book 'Catching Fire' sees Katniss going into the arena again for the Quarter Quell, another round of the Hunger Games which is organized only for past victors. Of course, victors are a source of hope for the districts, and if all the victors die, hope will be thwarted. Also, since Katniss becomes a face of an upcoming rebellion, the Quarter Quell is a calculated attempt to eliminate her, since other victors are more powerful and better trained than she is. Through this book, we get a glimpse into the ignorance of the residents of the Captol, the dirty politics that goes into controlling a nation, the truth behind reality television and so on. The book ends with the rebellion finally breaking out in full motion and Katniss' home, District 12, being bombed by the Capitol.

The third book outlines the rebellion and how Katniss becomes its face. Katniss feels manipulated by everyone, including the rebels and undergoes a great deal of trauma in the book. The rather depressing ending does have a shred of hope, with Katniss saying in the epilogue that her children take their freedom for granted and only know about the 'Hunger Games' because of history lessons in school. Katniss loses everything even though the rebellion is a success, and that is truly disheartening. But Katniss still manages to get on with her life, and that is truly surprising.

The Hunger Games series offers commentary on everything. For example, Katniss being forced to feign a romantic relationship with her co-victor Peeta (whom she eventually marries) gives a glimpse into how 'real' reality television is. The complicated strategies the Capitol adopts to keep a rebellion at bay, the gruesome torture that rebels have to face, Peeta's eventual psychological breakdown and consequent brainwashing, the moments when Katniss hides underground because of the bombings- if you have ever read a history book, you can't help but compare these things to real historical events such as the Nazi Holocoust, the World War and any fight for freedom. The best part is that even though the series has some disturbing yet fascinating parallels with politics i the real world, it never gets preachy or gets too obvious in drawing its parallels. From beginning to end, it stays a work of fiction.

If you're an adult, don't write off Hunger Games as a children's book. Chances are, you will enjoy it just as much as your kids. But if you're one of those readers who like handsome heroes and damsels in distress in your books, don't read the Hunger Games. Ever!

Check out the trailer for 'Hunger Games', the movie:

2. I read Girl With A Dragon Tattoo. I don't really know what its message is, or if it even has a message, but there were certain reasons for me liking it very much. The first reason is its heroine, Lisbeth Salander. A lot of crime novels reduce women to desirable objects. Sometimes, even if the protagonist is a woman, she is potrayed as a gorgeous lady who is deemed attractive by male company. Its not so in this case. Lisbeth Salander is a delinquent, asocial hacker with uncanny abilities such as a photographic memory. She is not afraid to manipulate or even kill the men in her life if need be and cannot stand if a woman is ever wronged. In the real world, nobody would find Lisbeth Salander attractive. Its not just the fact that she is not conventionally beautiful or nice. Its the fact that she is the complete opposite of all that. And that's what makes her so intriguing.

The second reason was the story in general. Mikael Blomkvist, a journalist being sued for libel, is given the task of solving the mystery behind the disappearance of a millionaire's niece. The story progresses with suspense and intrigue making you turn over to the next page. More shocking than the final discovery is the process which leads to it.

Unfortunately, the last few chapters have nothing to do with the mystery. They revolve around the relationship formed between Blomkvist and Salander and how Blomkvist proves his innocence in the libel case. I was actually into the novel only for the whodunnit, and once that was over, I lost interest.

During the period in which I was reading the book, there was one night when my parents weren't home. I was in bed alone, and I just couldn't fall asleep. Some parts of the book are so disturbing that you will find it hard to digest them. But to the late author's credit, I give this- never does he try to sensationalize, overly dramatize or vulgarize the story, things that a lot of crime novelists do for the sake of sales. Note to all crime writers- if you're trying to be a cut above your peers, stay away from sleaze.

Check out the trailer for the movie version below:

3) The last book I read was The Perks of Being A Wallflower. Its an epistolary novel written by a high-school freshman who goes under the name of Charlie. The letters are addressed to a 'friend' that 'Charlie' has never met in person. After his friend commits suicide, Charlie is left to face high-school alone. Luckily, he finds an English teacher who recognizes his talents and two friends, Sam and Patrick, who don't judge him for being 'weird'. Bill introduces Charlie to good books and movies. On the other hand, Sam and Patrick initiate him to drugs, sex, underground bands, and most importantly, friendship. The novel follows Charlie through his first year in high school.

While reading the book, what caught my attention was Charlie's 'voice'. Charlie is the titular wallflower in the book. He listens and observes, and most of the book is dedicated to what happens to others. On several occasions, Charlie mentions his deceased Aunt Helen, who died in a car crash on her way to buying a birthday present for Charlie. Charlie adores Aunt Helen and calls her his 'favorite person in the world'. He has fond childhood memories from her, and it is hinted that he has psychological conditions because he blames himself for Helen's death. Charlie clearly has special needs, as he tends to be overly emotional or panicky at times, but these needs are never mentioned explicitly. Also, he cries more often than one would consider appropriate for someone his age. Even though Sam and Patrick introduce him to things that might be considered immoral or even illegal, they are never talked about as if they are a bad influence because behind all the smoking and drinking lie good intentions. Many shocking events, such as Charlie's sister's accidental pregnancy, his Aunt Helen's molestation, Patrick's homosexuality and so on, are dealt with subtly and once again, there is no sleaze. There is a romantic subplot, where Charlie is in love with Sam, but its no conventional teen love story. Charlie isn't ruled by his hormones like most kids his age are. He doesn't mind when Sam has another boyfriend and only wants to see Sam happy.

The biggest shock comes in the end, when Charlie realizes that he in fact was molested by his Aunt Helen, and that may be the root cause of his issues.

There is a movie coming out for this book too, but the trailer doesn't look so promising. In an effort to appear 'quirky' and 'funny' it appears to have lost its edge. Check it out anyways.

I just realized that all the books I've read recently have been made into movies. I don't know if its a good thing or a bad thing. I guess if movies are made, the stories can reach people who just cannot get through novels. Maybe next time, I'll do a post on all the movies I've seen recently. I hope you enjoyed this post.